Regional Big Bash: Orana Outlaws ready to step up against Illawarra Flames

This cricket young gun has played the sport in Ireland and Malaysia. But more than anything she wants to play at the SCG - and that could happen if some luck goes her way.

Cricketer Alana Ryan lives in Cowra and Orange and plays for Penrith in Premier Cricket.

Country cricketer Alana Ryan has never even sat in the stands to watch a game live at the Sydney Cricket Ground, let alone played there.

But that could change if the 21-year-old from Cowra, currently studying in Orange, and her Orana Outlaws teammates have a big day out this Sunday.

The 21-year-old, who has played cricket in both Ireland and Malaysia, said the opportunity to play on the famed cricket pitch is motivating she and her Western Zone teammates ahead of Sunday’s Plan B Regional Bash match at Bathurst.

Cricketer Alana Ryan lives in Cowra and Orange and plays for Penrith in Premier Cricket.

The Orana Outlaws will take on the Illawarra Flames in the T20 match to determine who will make it through to the finals of the women’s competition.

The ACT Aces, Northern Inland Bolters and Coffs Coast Chargers have already qualified for the finals to be played at the SCG at a still to be determined date.

“The prospect of the SCG, it’s huge, playing where some of Australia’s, the world’s, greatest players have been,’’ said the University of Orange physiotherapy student “still dreaming of making the WBBL one day’’.

Last year’s Orana Outlaw team. L-R back row Carolyn Sheehan (coach), Sara Darney, Stacey Cornish, Roxi Van Veen, Taylor Hobby, Kelsie Turner, Mea O’Byrne, Bianca Douglas, Marie Cornish (Manager). Front row: Amy Kreuzberger, Alana Ryan, Sally Moylan (captain), Kira Churchland and Dimity Parton.

“It would be an amazing experience. Not something you’d ever forget. It’s a real added incentive for all of us.’’

Ryan said her Orana Outlaws teammates come from across the western zone, including Broken Hill and Forbes.

“We have players from everywhere so we are all used to travelling,’’ said Ryan, who must travel for four hours from Cowra to play Premier Cricket with her Penrith side on weekends.

“We lost to Illawarra last year, they were a quality side and we weren’t up to it.

“But I think because we lost last year we have the eagerness and extra hunger which will hopefully get us over the line.’’

THE ORANA OUTLAWS

Julie Muir - Sydney, Kira Churchland - Syd/ACT/Orange, Alana Ryan - Syd/ACT/Cowra, Roxi Van Veen - Lithgow, Eliza Bunner - Narrabri/Barradine, Sara Darney - Wellington, Bianca Douglas - Wellington, Dimity Parton - Blayney, Amy Maslin - Forbes, Caitlin Keen - Condobolion, Katie Letcher - Yeoval/Broken Hill, Belinda Kidd - Sydney/Bathurst

MORE SPORT

From Sydney’s west to queen of the waves

Why these are the 12 rising stars of netball

Rugby teen’s hair-raising All Black encounter

Mind over matter for this Paralympic paddler